Review of The Neon Demon (2016) by Facebook U — 13 Feb 2017

Ladies and gentlemen, although the film will be released later this year and has just been selected for the Cannes Film Festival in may, I had the pleasure and the great opportunity to watch the film for a screening test. For the fans of director Nicolas Winding-Refn (i am one of them), this new film will probably be a little gem of pure visual beauty tainted with symbolism, esotherism and countless references to masters such as Jodorowsky and Lynch. The Neon Demon is not a film that you will simply watch, it is a visual journey, an aesthetic venture into the mind of an incredibly talented young film maker, filled with so much passion and poised, it is almost impossible to compare the film to anything being released in theaters these days. For those who loved Drive,Valhalla Rising, Only God Forgives (maybe the most beautiful film ever made about frustration and anger), the storyline in this film will inevitably echoes to some of his previous work and quickly you will feel in familiar territory once the amazing soundtrack kicks in and swallows you into this world of fashion, betrayal, jealousy and madness like only modern america can produce. Flirting with film-noir codes, thriller, eroticism, new wave and pop art, the work by cinematographer Natasha Braier is beyond gorgeous. A rare and intense visual treat, clean, extremely precise, using an array of colors and lights that left me in awe (this film may be the dream type of work for any wannabe cinematographer out there). Nicolas Wonding-Refn has managed to surround himself with a cast and crew that understand his vision and embrace it all the way. The soundtrack by Cliff Martinez (who's work on Drive and Only God Forgives was already fascinating) is beyond hypnotizing and reflects perfectly the overall energy and tone distilled through this highly unusual, iconoclast and tremendously beautiful film. The cast can be praised as well, Jena Malone will seriously blow your mind and I strongly believe she delivers the most iconic, memorable and fearless performance of her career.... leaving me wondering where can an actor go after that? Abbey Lee was equally fascinating, her very specific cheek bones were bathed in a light that gave her an alien-like personality. She managed to pull some serious emotionally charged moments throughout the film, culminating in a fascinating 'eye' scene of epic proportion (you will understand that one once you get to watch the film). N.W.R has crafted an amazing film for his leading ladies and few directors today have the ability to draw such intense performances from their characters on screen. I entered a different dimension, a long beautiful dreamy reflection on success, fame, envy, jealousy and vacuity of today's world in which people can go to some insane extend to remain beautiful , young and appreciated like Bella Heathcote's Gigi, a marvelous reflection of our times. This is the kind of film we see too rarely in theaters today, the type of films that doesn't shy away from being disturbing, uncomfortable but also absolutely gorgeous and mesmerizing to look at.

I could go on and on raving about thefilm but I will leave you the pleasure and surprise to discover this modern masterpiece for yourself once it is released in theaters. I predict the film will make a huge impact in the cinephile community and Europeans will get it far better than the american audience, used to more polished and mainstream type of stories. But who am I to say? I wish this film a long and prosperous career, an international recognition and a standing ovation at Cannes because it deserves it in my humble opinion. Jodorowsky has a disciple embodied in the persona of a unique and visionary Danish director named Nicolas Winding-Refn... to whom I wish to say thank you for offering me an experience, a journey without limits through a fantastic body of work and having the balls to stand out uncompromisingly in the modern film landscape.